lacertewiki - Shakespeare Web-Quest

Shakespeare Web-quest
Before we delve into the world of Romeo and Juliet, it’s important that we learn more about our playwright Bill and the world in which he wrote his famous works.

Directions:
Follow the links and answer the questions on a separate document. Work may be split-up among partners, but there will be a ‘class share’ to review the content, so it is important that each student has a grasp of ALL of the material by the end of the activity.

The Renaissance – Shakespeare’s Time
Discovery: How Stuff Works – A Brief Overview of the Renaissance

What is language of origin and definition of the word 'Renaissance'?
What is the general time period of the Renaissance?
Define the period.
What is a ‘humanist’ and how does this relate to the Renaissance?
When did the English Renaissance reach its climax?
What was the overall effect of the Renaissance?

Queen Elizabeth
BBC: Queen Elizabeth I

Why was Queen Elizabeth I considered a ‘different kind of queen’?
*List a fact that you found interesting*

About Shakespeare
Shakespeare Timeline

*Click on the link to Birth 1564 & Early Years. William Shakespeare was born in what year?
What date do we recognize as his birthday?
What was important about Stratford-upon-Avon in the 16th century?
*Click on the link for 1594 and find the acting companies Shakespeare was associated with in the early days. Name one.
What day and year did Shakespeare die? Why is this an interesting date? How old was Shakespeare when he died?

The Globe – Shakespeare’s Theatre

*Click on 1599 The Great Globe. What is the probable year that Romeo and Juliet was written?
*Scroll down to the section "Construction of the Globe," and answer these questions:
a. Where did the timbers to build the Globe come from?
b. Who was the carpenter who built the Globe?
c. What was Shakespeare's share as "householder?"

More on The Globe

How was the original Globe destroyed?
Is there a Globe Theatre that still exists?

The Theatre Experience
The Elizabethan Theatre

*Click on the Actors, Audience and Acting link on the left side of the page
How many women actors did the company usually feature?
Was Shakespeare an actor? What was the term used to refer to actors?
How were the seating arrangements for the audience? How did one get a good seat?
What would the audience do if they did not like a performance?

More on the Experience

Was the audience considered an active participant in the ‘theatre experience’?

Weddings and Marriage
~Romeo & Juliet marry secretly because she is trying to escape the arranged marriage to Paris.~

Life in Elizabethan England - Weddings

Name three marriage and betrothal customs found on this page.

Love and Marriage

*Click on the link for “Love and Marriage.”
What role does love play in marriage?
List three assumptions or expectations within an Elizabethan-era marriage that differ from a 21st century marriage?

More Wedding Customs

*Click on the link for "more wedding customs."
What color should the bride's dress be?
How is the intention to marry announced? What happens if it is not announced previous to the event?
Describe the wedding procession.
What is a dowry?
Explain how important is a wedding ring to the Elizabethans?

Another great website for your exploring pleasure . . .
Shakespeare’s Life and Times (An amazing website with an overwhelming amount of interesting information)

Pick three sections to explore and list one fact you found interesting about each.